Portable condition finder for invisible parts of automobiles



Jan. '30, 1940.

D. B. DICKINSON Filed Sept. 50, 1938 BILES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 30, 1940. D, B DICKINSON 2,188,677

PORTABLE CONDITION FINDER FOR INVISIBLE PARTS OF AUTOMOBILES Filed Sept. 30, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 0 J5 65 J z 17 a a9 \J 6W6) 3 38 22 35 I Z0 Z1 30 Wm ZaZB Zz cZTz rwow, Y (I rzzz/wfir triangular arrangement so that Patented Jan. 30, 1940 r nrsnrfPrice PORTABLE CONDITIONLFINDER FOR IN-.. I

VISIBLE; PARTS OF AUTOMOBILES Donald B. Dickinson, Silver Creek, N. Y. Application September 30, 1938, Serial No. 232,634

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a portable reflector device, and more particularly to what may be termed a condition finder for invisible parts of automobiles.

The primary object of my invention is to provide aportable reflector for use in garages and at service stations to enable attendants to examine the under side of an automobile and to ascertain whether par-ts thereof, otherwise invisible, are loose, or inoperative, and whether proper lubrication has been'provided where lubrication is required.

A further object of my invention is to provide a portable reflector which will at all times be conveniently at hand and capable of being moved underneath an automobile and if required, be tilted to not only enable parts on the under side of the automobile located centrally thereon to be easily seen, but also to reflect parts located at the sides of the automobile, as well as parts distantly located with respect to the reflector, so

that the entire under side of the automobile willbe brought into reflected vision even though the reflector be positioned only. under a portion of the automobile.

Another object porting points for the same are provided under the reflector can be easily tilted on one end laterallmtor with a forward "or rearward inclination componently with a. lateral inclination.

' A still further object of my invention is to provide a reflector of the type mentioned, wherein a box-like structure is providedequipped with artificial light and with a reflecting element, a

reflecting mirrorin a plane above said reflect:-

ing element and between which and said reflecting element the artificial lights are disposed and wherein light openings are provided through which the reflecting element is caused to illuminate the under side of the automobile and display the same'in said reflecting mirror.

With the above and other objects in view to" of my improved section through the same with one end of the handle thereof broken of my invention is to provide a refiectorof the kind mentioned wherein sup- Fig.3 is a transverse section taken on line 33, Fig. 2. l

Fig. 4 is a bottomplan view of the rear end of the device with the outer end of the handle broken away.

Fig. -5' is a bottom. view of a portion of the front end of the device. 1 j The device is preferably of oblong formation and is designed to be moved underneath automobiles, which invariably are of greater length than width, and by reason of this formation is intended to reflect substantially the full length of the under side of the automobile.

The device comprises a shallow elongated boxlike structure ii which in the main is formed of Wood but may be constructed of any other suitable opaque material. 'This box-like structure comprises a bottom 1, side walls 8, front and rear walls 9 and ll). It also has a glass or other transparent top wall l l, which has its marginal portion resting upon the upper edges of the side walls 8 and. end walls 9 and i0, and may be retained thereon in any suitable manner. 1, however, 'eniploy metallic angle strips I2, oneweb of each covering an edge of the transparent top wall ll and overlapping a side or end wall of the box-like structure and the other overlying a; marginal portion of said transparent top wall. These metallic angle strips may be fastened in place in any suitable manner. I have shown these strips forming a rectangular frame in which the side members I3 are welded or other wise connected to the end members It, and

therefore are capable of being slipped over the box-like structure and thus retain the transparent top wall in place. If desired, however, screws may be passed through the depending webs of these angular strips and enter the walls of the box-like structure. These angular strips of course mayalso be individually applied and. fastened in place by means of screws or otherwise.

Placed in contact with the under side of the transparent top wall H is an elongated reflect ing mirror i5 which is somewhat narrower than the transparent top wall, and the longitudinal edges of this mirror are therefore spaced from the side walls 8 of the box-like structure. This mirror is held in contact with the under side of theitransparent wall by a supporting board It corresponding in lengths/and width with the mirror and heldin contact with the under or .prepared side of the mirror by securing-strips ll 18 at opposite sides and a reflecting region l9 between said transparent regions; the reflecting region being created by the somewhat narrower mirror which, however, is co-e'xtensive with the length of said transparent top wall. 7

The supporting board It may be formed of wood or other rigid material, but I prefer to utilize for this element suitable insulating material. The bottom and side walls are faced with chrmium-plated or otherwise highly finished sheetmetal serving as a reflector 20, this sh'eet metal being rounded, as at 2|, with these rounded portions spaced from the angles formed by the bottom and side walls of the box-like structure, as shown at 22, the purpose of these rounded portions being to deflect rays of light upwardly through the transparent or light-passing regions 58 of the transparent top wall ii.

I position within thebox-like structure electric bulbs 23 which are connected in any approved manner withthe .wireswithin'a current conducting cord 24, which may be of any desired length and have means ofconnection with a plugsocketor the'like-located in any suitable place so that current will be supplied toothe electric bulbs whenever the device isplaced in use. The manner of connecting the electric cord to the light bulbs 23 will of course be apparent and requires no particular illustration or explanation.

These light bulbs 23 will create considerable heat within the box-like structure, and thus, as stated, Iprefer to use for the element it some material that will protect the prepared under side of the mirror from the effects of the heat;

-' and lalsc arrange air openings 25 in the endwallsior the escape of the heat from within the structure. These light bulbs are preferably fasten-ed to the opposite end walls 9 and lb directly underneath .the mirror support or supporting board it; and are therefore invisible from the top. The rays of light from these bulbs are directed against the polished surface of the lining or reflector Ziband instriking the curved portions M of the latter are directed upwardly through the transparentregions Iii-of the transparent top wall. Thus, when the device is placed underneath anautomobile; the under side of the automobile is reflectively visible in the. mirror I 5. At the front endcf'the box-like structure a traction wheel 2t is rotatably mounted in a bracket '2? fastened to the under side 'of the structure. This wheel is disposed in the longitudinal center of the body, and at the rear corners bracketsZS-aresecured having spindles pro v jecting therefrom on which additional traction wheels were rotatably mounted. The traction" wheels 25 and 29 provide a three-pointsupport for the device which enables the device to be Such arrangement also per mits the device to be readily tipped forward and easily moved about.

thus be supported only by the traction wheel it; or it may be easily tilted laterally so thatit may be supported only by means of one of the two traction wheels 29 at the rear end thereof; or

-. it may be easily tilted in amanner so that sup port is provided by-the traction wheel 2&5 and one of the traction wheels 29. The tilting of the devicein the manner stated enables reflected views to be had of all parts "of the automobile ordinarily concealed so that any loose parts will bediscovered, as well as leakage of oil or; the need of lubricant. The wheels 26 and 29 convert the box-like body' portion into what may be termed 'a cart.

35 proper, a backing In" order" to'enablethe device to be conven= ien'tly transported from place to place, andespecially with a view'of rolling the same underheath an automobile in a position inwhich-the 1 reflecting mirror is substantially parallel to the surface on which the automobile rests, and also to enable the device to be conveniently tilted in the manner stated, I have provided an upwardly and rearwardly-directed handle 3t whichfcom-v I prises a rounded upper portion 3 t, and two. down-sh wardly and forwardly-inclined spacedapart side.

the rear thereon as r needed for tilting thedevice forwardly, laterally,

or forwardly with component lateral movement, a

depending on the particular part of the auto. mobile it is" desired: to examine; This is espee ciallyq facilitated. by the; use of the three-point support provided by... the traction wheels fi l-sand 'I Q 29 The device .is" short compared to, automobiles underhwhich' it is to'be rolled;fand thereforerl" provide at one ,end'thereof, preferably. tl'lerear-e mirror.

order to match or 'conformto theappearance Jof-f glass mirror 36 to protect the'p'repared the body portion it comprises the end, a reflecting element. 3% in thefcrm of a; J This :may be of'any construction, but'im face of the glass :rnirr'or; and an angular bind ing 3? similar to the; angle strips-l2 of the'bodyr portion, one web-of ewhich binding I bears against 1: the marginalportionofithemirror and the other against. the edges ofithe latter "and-Lthe edges of the backingtfigthe binding beingifastenedin place byv screws 38 passed therethr'ough' and threaded into the backing- This reflecting-min; ror is comparatively narrow andilon'g, and' thek of they length thereofie approximately the:wid body portion of the devic'e. i

In-the particular arrangement shownl this refleeting mirror is inclined upw'ar dlyandrearwardly, the inclination being that of the fihandleatil.

It' rests at its lower edge against the: metallic angle strips i2 of the-"body portion and against i' the spaced-apart side members 32 0fthe handle, v and is fastened to the latter by me'ans of screws 39 passed 'throughsaid side members; and threaded into the backing 3t.

Oneattendant at a gara'g'e or service Sta-ms! can conveniently roll the device underneath an. automobilelfrom the rear end-theri I": while another attendant is servicingthe hdobilebth erwise.

Thus the owner of the automobile can be informed of any; attention required under f heath the car; suchas the tightening of'loose parts or the greasingof=fjoints, cups; or other parts which appear tobe dry,fand: -in-many in stances correction made or attention gi'ten which would result in avoiding accidents; most of which parts; it not all; maybe observed by 'the attendant while in'an upright"position;-, 3

It is-to be noted that the-traction wheels are comparatively small indiamjeter so that the 'por tion-of the device to be pla'ced un'derneath: the;- 1 car need not exceed seveninchesfin'height, thus"? making it possible to roll the device underneath the diflerential casing of an automobile. 5 Since the under side of the automobileis illuininated by the reflection=oflight from the light bulbs 23 through said 'light 'regions' orspaces It; andin turn is reflected in the reflecting mirror- 193 it can be easily determined whether lubrication of parts-is required, parts are loose or broken, or some other service is necessary. A slight tilting laterally of the device will expose-the brake drums, the inner sides of the automobile wheels and tires, also the under s des of the running boards, so that any loose or worn parts or any injuries to the tires can be easily seen. Moreover, the reflecting mirror 35 will reflect the under side of the automobile along that portion forward of the device; it being only necessary to stoop slightly to bring the line of vision along the entire length of the automobile, or the de vice may be tilted on end for this purpose. If desired, however, the device may also be rolled underneath the forward end of theautomobile, and when tilted laterally underneath both forward and rearward ends, every part of the automobile not otherwise visible from'a standing or stooping position will be brought to view.

Having thus .described my .invention, what I claim is: e

l. A portable reflector device, comprising an upwardly-facing reflecting mirror, means supporting said reflecting mirror to enable the latter to be moved underneath an automobile substantially parallel to the surface on which the latter rests, and means associated With said re fleeting mirror to illuminate the, under side of the automobile and cause a clear reflection of the illuminated portion of said under side in said reflecting mirror.

' 2. A portable reflector device, comprising an upwardly-facing reflecting mirror, wheels supporting said mirror to enable the latter to be moved underneath an automobile between the wheels at opposite sides thereof with said reflecting mirror substantially parallel to the surface on which the automobile rests, a light bulb disposed underneath said mirror, and means beneath the plane of said mirror to reflect the rays of light from said light bulb upwardly against the under side of the automobile so as to enable said under side to be clearly reflected within said mirror so as to be seen from the front, the rear, or either side of the automobile.

3. A portable reflector device, comprising a cart having an elongated box-like body portion capable of being positioned underneath an automobile 7 between the wheels at opposite sides thereof and constructed with a bottom, side walls, and end walls and having an elongated reflecting mirror at the top parallel to the surface on which the automobile rests and facing upwardly when said body portion is so positioned, said mirror being of a width to provide a light space between at least one longitudinal edge thereof and one of the side walls of said box-like body portion, a light bulb within said body portion arranged underneath said mirror, and a polished reflector element beneath said light space directing the rays of light from said light bulb upwardly against the under side of an automobile through said light space to illuminate parts of the automobile otherwise concealed and to cause the illuminated portion of the automobile to be reflected in said reflecting mirror.

4. A portable reflector device, comprising a cart having a three-point support and adapted to be rolled underneath an automobile to permit said cart to be tilted forwardly, rearwardly, laterally, or forwardly or rearwardly with component lateral movement, means carried within the cart for illuminating the under side of the'automobile,

and means to reflect the illuminated under side 7 of the automobile at the top of the cart, said three-point support permitting an observer under the selective above-mentioned tilting movements to obtain a reflected view of the side concealed portions of the automobile including the running board, traction wheels and adjacent portions of theautomobile. i

Y 5. A portable reflector device, comprising a cart having an elongated box-like body portion adapted to be positioned underneath an automobile between the Wheels at opposite sides thereof and constructed with a bottom, side walls, and end walls and having an upwardly-facing mirror at the top positioned lengthwise and centrally of said body portion and normally substantially parallel to the surface-on which the automobile rests, said mirror being narrower than said body portion to provide light spaces at opposite sides thereof, light bulbs disposed within said body portion to illuminate the under side of an automobile, and a mirror transversely disposed at one end of said body portion above the plane of said upwardly-facing miror and inclined to reflect portions of the bottom of the automobile not located directly above said body portion.

6. A portable reflector device, comprising a cart having a box-like body portion adapted to be i positioned underneath an automobile between the wheels at opposite sides thereof and provided at its top with an upwardly-facing mirror disposed substantially parallel to the surface on which the automobile rests, said mirror being narrower than said body portion to provide a light space at one side of said mirror, Wheels of small diameter sup-' porting said body portion, a light bulb within said body portion, a reflector element within said body portion against which rays of light'from said light bulb are directed and whereby said rays are reflected against the under side of portions of an automobile, and a mirror disposed at an angle to said upwardly-facing mirror to reflect portions of the bottom of the automobile not directly disposed over said box-like body portion,

, 7. A portable reflector device, comprising a cart having a rectangular elongated body portion constructed with a bottom, side walls, and end walls,

' to cause the illuminated region of the automobile to be reflected in said ,mirror, and a handle extending upwardly and outwardly from the lastmentioned end of said body portion to permit of so tilting said cart.

8. A portable reflector device, comprising a cart having a rectangular elongated body portion constructed with an opaque bottom and opaque side and end walls, a top wall formed of glass entirely 7 closing the top of said'box-like body portion, an

upwardly-facing elongated. mirror positioned in lengthwise and centrally of said body portion, said mirror being narrower than and as long as said glass top wall to provide light spaces between the longitudinal edges thereof and said side walls, an insulated supporting board co-extensive laterally and longitudinally with said mirror and contact with the under side of said glass top wall body portion-,.a lightbulb securedto eachof said end walls and positioned medially underneath said insulated supporting board, a, reflector element formed of bright sheet material within said body portion and having. concaved inner surfaces at opposite sides thereof directly underneath-said 2,188,677: receiving; support from the endv walls of said.

light spaces, said:reflectoraelement receivingilthe' outwardly from one end thereof.

DONALD B. DICKINSON-l 

